As we begin to wind down the school year and prepare for summer vacation, classroom management is more important than ever. If your students are anything like mine, spring fever has kicked in and they are pretty wound up! But fear not, I have another batch of #kindercatchphrase expressions direct from the mouths of seasoned classroom teachers. Try a few of these expressions out in your classroom this week and consider it my Teacher Appreciation gift to you!
Get Your Students Ready to Learn
Nothing grabs the attention of young children like a classic echo chant. I adore the simplicity of this #kindercatchphrase. It’s short, direct and implies a love of learning.
Don’t Forget to Write Your Name
Why, why, WHY is it such a challenge for children to remember to write their names on their papers? Maybe this catchy little rhyming expression will help them remember. Like all the best classroom management phrases, it puts a positive spin on a very annoying classroom problem.
You Get What You Get…
Speaking of positive expressions, the common classroom expression of “you get what you get and you don’t throw a fit” has never sat very well with me. It always struck me as a little bit edgy and negative. I positively adore this new positive twist on the old expression. As a Catholic educator, it is also a much better fit for my Christian classroom environment.
Proper Behavior For Walking Down the Hall
Young children LOVE to touch things. Especially each other. And walls. They also love to make noises. This #kindercatchphrase helps students prepare their mouths and hands for a trip down the hall. Sometimes a proper start is all it takes for a successful walk!
Keep the Line Moving at the Drinking Fountain
Ah, the drinking fountain. A source of refreshment and impatience. Especially for the poor student stuck at the end of a very long line. Keep the line moving with this simple little rhyme. It sounds much more polite for a child to say this when a particularly thirsty student is in front of him/her instead of “Come on! You’ve had enough! It’s MY turn!”
Quieting Talkative Students
Seriously, I think echo chants are pure genius. This #kindercatchphrase is another gem and I love that the student’s part is to say OUT LOUD that they are all done talking.
Ask for a Favor and Receive Anything You Need
A teacher can ask a particularly rowdy student to calm down and stop talking until she is blue in the face, usually with very little success. But often six magic words can be uttered that are capable of creating a remarkable change in the student’s behavior: Will you do me a favor?
While I’m not 100% certain why this phrase is so effective, I suspect it stems from the fact that most children inherently like their teacher and DO want to make them happy. Children just have a difficult time connecting how their behavior affects the teacher. I challenge you to try using this expression in your own classroom. Ask the entire class or perhaps just one student to please do you a HUGE favor and work quietly. Say that you really like it to be quiet so you can get your work done too. This #kindercatchphrase just might work a little magic in your classroom too!
What Do You Say?
I am always on the hunt for POSITIVE phrases that help teachers manage their classroom while showing respect for their students. If you have a great #kindercatchprase suggestion, leave a comment telling me about it. I would love to know what words have a powerful impact in your classroom!
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